Effects of confinement on freezing and melting

TLDR

The review surveys experimental, theoretical, and molecular simulation studies of how confinement influences freezing and melting. It examines common methods and materials—simple and complex adsorbates in slit, cylindrical, and disordered pores—and outlines the most widely used porous media. The authors summarize how confinement changes structure and freezing temperature, introduces new surface‑driven and confinement‑driven phases, and affects the glass transition.

Abstract

We present a review of experimental, theoretical, and molecular simulation studies of confinement effects on freezing and melting. We consider both simple and more complex adsorbates that are confined in various environments (slit or cylindrical pores and also disordered porous materials). The most commonly used molecular simulation, theoretical and experimental methods are first presented. We also provide a brief description of the most widely used porous materials. The current state of knowledge on the effects of confinement on structure and freezing temperature, and the appearance of new surface-driven and confinement-driven phases are then discussed. We also address how confinement affects the glass transition.